Trim correcting apparatus for boats

ABSTRACT

AN INFLATABLE BLADDER IS POSITIONED BETWEEN A STERN LOCATED SUPPORT AND A LIFT MEMBER SWINGABLE DOWNWARDLY FROM A POSITION SUBSTANTIALLY LEVEL WITH THE BOTTOM OF A BOAT INTO A DOWNWARDLY AND REARWARDLY SLOPING POSITION. INFLATION OF THE TUBE CAUSES IT TO PRESS AGAINST THE SWINGABLE MEMBER AND DEFLECT IT DOWNWARDLY.

Dec. 28, 1971 YUNKER ETAL TRIM CORRECTING APPARATUS FOR BOATS 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Aug. 18, 1966 INVENTORS ROBERT E. YUNKERJOHN P. SQUTH ERN ATTO RNEYS Dec. 28, 1971 YUNKER ETAL Re. 27,258

TRIM CORRECTING APPARATUS FOR BOATS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Aug.18. 1966 FUN/(5A? Y JOHN R .S'OUTHEQA/ 73 y ,4 r raw/5V6 [N VENTOR.E0562? 5 United States Patent 27,258 TRIM CORRECTING APPARATUS FOR BOATSRobert E. Yunker, West Sacramento, Calif., and John P.

Southern, Seattle, Wash.; said Yunker assignor to Delbert J. Barnard,Seattle, Wash.

Original No. 3,313,262, dated Apr. 11, 1967, Ser. No. 573,380, Aug. 18,1966. Application for reissue Apr. 10, 1969, Ser. No. 860,442

Int. Cl. B63b 7/28 US. Cl. 11466.5 19 Claims M atter enclosed in heavybrackets appears in the original patent but forms no part of thisreissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additionsmade by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An inflatable bladder is positioned between astern located support and a lift member swingable downwardly from aposition substantially level with the bottom of a boat into a downwardlyand rearwardly sloping position. Inflation of the tube causes it topress against the swingab'le member and deflect it downwardly.

CROSS-REFEREN CE T O RELA TED PATENT APPLICATIONS Our application573,380, which issued as U.S. Patent No. 3,313,262, of which this is areissue application, was [This is] a continuation-in-part of ourcopending application Ser. No. 488,705, filed Sept. 20, 1965, andentitled Automatic Trim Correction [.1 now US. Patent No. 3,298,344,issued Jan. 17, 1967.

The present invention relates to trim correcting apparatus for boats,and more particularly to such an apparatus including outboard liftmembers for changing trim by water reaction, and inflatable bladdermeans for moving water reaction surfaces of such members intooperational positions.

In the operation of boats, it is highly desirable to be able to exercisesome control over the fore and aft and lateral tilting movements of theboat during forward travel of the same. Various devices for controllingsuch tilting movements have been heretofore proposed, typical examplesof which are disclosed by: Bennett, US. Patent No. 3,062,167; Jacobs etal., US. Patent No. 3,001,499; Sherrill, US. Patent No. 3,046,928;Curtis, US. Patent No. 3,058,442; Frederick, U.S. Patent No. 3,159,131;and Sherrill, US. Patent No. 3,177,837. Each of these patents disclosestrim correcting means comprising a pair of generally horizontal waterreaction panels, one on each side of the center line of the boat. Eachpanel is hinged along its forward edge to the boat substantially at thelevel of the undersurface of the boat. Means are provided for, pivotallymoving each panel about its hinge means, from a retracted inactiveposition downwardly to an active position, wherein it slopes downwardlyand rearwardly from the undersurface of the boats bottom.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a trimcorrecting system of the same general type as those disclosed by theabove-mentioned patents, but in which a novel fluid pressure actuatedexpansible chamber means is used for moving each water reaction paneldownwardly from its inactive position to its active position. Briefly,the fluid supply system comprises an inboard source of fluid underpressure; supply conduit means leading from such source and outboardlyto each expansible chamber means, and including a separate inlet conduitleading into each expansible chamber means; and a normally closed off-onvalve in each inlet conduit.

Reissued Dec. 28, 1971 In preferred form, the expansible chamber meanscomprises a hermetically sealed inflatable tube member interposedbetween the water reaction panel, and a fixed support [there for]therefor spaced above the Water reaction panel. Preferably, the fixedsupport is an attachment to the boats transom and includes a generallyhorizontal shelf, and the inflatable tube means includes at least oneupwardly extending stem, through an opening therefor in the shelfportion of the fixed support.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a trim correctingdevice composed of a rigid bracket having an upstanding front wall bywhich it is mounted onto the lower portion of the transom of a boat, anda fixed shelf integral therewith, extending rearwardly from the lowerportion of said front Wall; and a reactance member secured to thetransom below said bracket, with both the bracket and the reactancemember being constructed from a synthetic resin or plastic. The lowerportion of the front wall of the bracket may be offset rearwardly fromthe upper portion of such bracket, and the reactance member may includean upstanding front wall, the upper portion of which is positionablebetween the transom and the lower portion of the front wall of thebracket, and is securable to the transom in a position of coplanarparallelism with the upper portion of the front wall of said bracket.The reactance member may also include a relatively narrow support stripextending rearwardly in fixed position from the lower portion of thefront wall of said reactance member; a relatively large water reactancepanel of rectangular proportions disposed rearwardly of said supportstrip, and spaced below the shelf of said bracket; hinge means pivotallyconnecting the water reaction panel to the support strip; and a rearwall or flange that extends upwardly from the rear edge of the waterreaction panel. The inflatable tube means, which is constructed fromrubber or a rubber-like material, is in such embodiment of the inventionbounded at the top by the shelf, at the bottom by the water reactionpanel, at its front by the front wall of the reactance member, and atits rear by the upstanding rear wall of the reactance member.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a trimcorrecting device of the character described wherein the principalcomponents are made from non-corrosive materials, and wherein suchcomponents are interrelated and arranged in such a manner that themetallic fastener and/or coupler elements used with such device do notcontact and are not situated in close proximity to a metal part,resulting in galvanic corrosion being no problem.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an outboardtrim correcting device connectable to a boat generally rearwardly of itstransom, and comprising a support member of dihedral form formed fromsheet plastic and comprising dihedrally related first and second panelparts joined together along an apex line, and a plurality ofstrengthening .gussets spaced along said member and interconnectedbetween said panel parts, to provide rigidity to said dihedral member,said gussets being generally U-shaped in cross-section; means forconnectmg said dihedral member to a boat, with its apex line positionedadjacent, and [genenally] generally parallel to, the lower edge of theboats transom; and an elongated section of flexible tubing extendingalong and contacting one panel part of saiddihedral member, on the sidethereof opposite the gussets, and at a location offset from said apexline, said section of tubing including means closing and hermeticallysealing same, and at least one conduit connection.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a trimcorrecting device of the character described comprising, as a principalelement thereof, an inflatable bladder of elongated tubular form, andincluding means hermetically sealing same, and at least one conduitconnection, such as an outstanding stern. Preferably, the bladder is asection of hosing, which when full has a substantially roundcross-sectional shape. The hosing is cut to the desired -length, and thetwo end portions thereof are flattened and closed, and are hermeticallysealed in such flattened condition. The inflatable bladder may besecured in position by means of at least one connector. such as a screwor a bolt, inserted through one of the flattened end portions, with atleast the largest part of such bladder being unrestrained between itsends against expansion and contraction.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following description, appendedclaims, and annexed drawings.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designatelike parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view taken from above and looking generally tothe rear of a boat equipped with a pair of trim correcting devicestypifying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fore and aft sectional view, on an enlarged scale, takenthrough an intermediate portion of one of the trim correcting devices,including a solid line showing of the reactance member and theinflatable tube member in inactive positions, and a broken line showingof such members in active positions, wherein the inflatable tube memberis inflated and the water reaction panel of the reactance member slopesdownwardly and rearwardly from the bottom of the boat;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one of the trim correctingdevices, with the central rearward portion of the rigid shelf portion ofits mounting bracket being cut away for clarity of illustration of thestern portions of the inflatable tube member;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view similar to FIG. 3, but of amodified form of trim correcting device, char acterized by a dihedralsupport portion formed from sheet structural plastic, and reinforced byintegral gussets, an expandable bladder in the form of an elongatedtube, and a single fluid conduit connecting with said bladder;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but of the FIG. 4 form of trimcorrecting device, such view being taken transversely through the trimcorrecting device substantially at the location of the fluid conduitconnection to the bladder;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a typical fluid supply system, involvingan inboard source of pressurized fluid connected to a pair of three wayoff-on valves, each of which is in a fluid line leading to a differentone of a pair of outboard trim correction devices;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a modified fluid supply system, involvingboth an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit leading respectively intoand out from the bladder, with a valve in each conduit; and

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 5, but of still a furtherembodiment, such embodiment being characterized by a butt hinge mountedmember having a foam core and a sheet plastic jacket.

Referring more specifically to FIG. 1, a pair of trim correction devices10, constructed according to the present invention, are shown attachedto the lower portion of the transom T of boat B, in symmetricalrelationship on opposite sides of the boats keel K.

Each trim correction device 10 is shown to comprise a rigid mountingbracket 12 having an upstanding mounting wall 14 and a rearwardlyextending, generally horizontal shelf 16. Triangular brace members 18,or the like, extending between the mounting wall 14 and the shelf 16,give rigidity to the mounting bracket 12. A plurality of openings, someof which are designated in FIG. 3, may be provided in the mounting wall14, for receiving bolts 22, or the like. used for securing the bracket12 to the transom T.

As clearly shown by FIG. 2, a reactance member 23 is mounted on thetransom T below bracket 12. The lower part of the brackets mounting wall14 is preferably offset rearwardly of the upper portion, so as toprovide space between it and the transom T, in which space the upperportion of the forward wall 24 of the reactance member 23 may besituated, substantially in coplanar parallelism with the upper portionof wall 14 (FIG. 2). A plurality of openings 26 are provided in theupper portion of wall 24, and are appropriately located so that they areregisterable with the openings 20 in the lower part of wall 14. Thus,some of the fastening bolts 22 may extend through both an opening 20 inwall 14 and an opening 26 in wall 24, and serve to secure both themounting bracket 12 and the reactance member 23 to the transom T.Additional openings 28 may be provided in the lower part of wall 24 forthe reception therein of screws 30, or the like.

In addition to front wall 24, the reactance or lift member 23 comprisesa narrow support strip 32 forming a near right-angle corner with wall24, a generally horizontal water reaction panel 34, a hinge 36interconnecting the Water reaction panel 34 with the support strip 32,and a rear flange 38 upstanding from the rear edge of panel 34 andterminating substantially at the level of, or somewhat above, shelf 16.As shown by FIG. 2, the hinge 36 is located substantialy at the level ofthe undersurface of the bottom 40 of boat B. Also, the trim correctiondevice 10 is positioned on the transom T with the water reaction panel34 substantially at the level of the undersurface of the bottom 40.Reactance member 23 includes an upper action surface which, relative tothe hinge line, is angularly above the lower water reaction surface.

Preferably, both bracket 12 and reactance member 23 are constructed froma synthetic resin, a typical resin being polymerizable unsaturatedpolyester, for example. The hinge 36 may merely be a reduced thicknessportion of this material, as is illustrated. At least bracket member 12may be fiber glass reinforced.

A hermetically sealed tube, bag or flexible walled container 42 of aresilient, rubber-like material is provided in the space defined on topby the shelves 16, or bottom by the water reaction panel 34, at front bythe lower portion of wall 24, and the rear by the upstanding rear flange38. As used herein, the term rubber-like material means any materialhaving the properties of the rubber used in inner tubes for pneumaticmotor vehicles tires, and any equivalent materials capable of beinginflated when formed into a closed container, and capable ofsubstantially returning to its original shape when the inflating fluidpressure is released. Preferably, the tube 42 is formed to include apair of upstanding stems, designated 44 and 46, respectively, in FIG. 3.Each stem 44, 46 is similar to a valve stem for an inner tube, but doesnot include an internal valve device.

A pair of openings 48, 50 are provided in the central portion of shelf16. Stem 44 extends upwardly through opening 48 and stem 46 extendsupwardly through opening 50. The stems 44, 48 may be externally threadedso that a retaining nut 47 may be screwed onto them from above the shelf16. One of the stems 44, 46 is an inlet stem and the other is an outletstern. In the illustrated embodiment, stem 44 is the inlet and stem 46is the outlet stem.

A motive fluid inlet tube 52, forming a part of supply conduit meansleading from a source of motive fluids, is attached to the portion ofinlet stem 44 which stands up above shelf 16. In similar fashion, anexhaust tube 54, forming a part of an exhaust conduit means, is attachedto the portion of stem 46 which stands up above the shelf 16. In thedrawing, tube members 52, 54 are shown in the form of flexible hoses,and conventional hose clamps 56 are used for securing them to the stems44, 46, respectively. In an arrangement such as this, the nuts 47 may bedispensed with, and the hose clamps 56 may be used to secure theinflatable tube member 42 to the bracket 12.

As will hereinafter be described in greater detail, an off-on [value]valve is provided in each supply conduit means, and another oif-on valvemeans is provided in each exhaust conduit means. As will be apparent,when motive fluid is supplied into the inflatable tube 42 through itsinlet stem 44, and the valve in the exhaust conduit means is closed, thetube 42 will be inflated to a size larger than the space for it betweenshelf 16 and water reaction panel 34. Since panel 16 is relatively rigidand substantially immovable, and since water reaction panel 34 ispivotally movable about the hinge 36, when the tube 42 is inflated, itbears against the action surface of panel 34 and forceably swings thepanel 34 downwardly from a position substantially even with theundersurface of bottom 40 into a position wherein it slopes downwardlyand rearwardly from the undersurface of the bottom.

During boat travel the water that flows relatively across theundersurface of a water reaction panel 34 is deflected downwardlythereby, creating an upwardly directed force component by waterreaction, tending to lift the trim correction device 10 and the part ofthe boat to which it is secured. The water also tends to push the panel34 upwardly, but such movement is resisted by the fluid in tube 42.However, when the valve in the exhaust conduit means is opened, and thesupply of motive fluid is stopped, the water force can and will returnthe water reaction panel 34 to a position substantially even with theundersurface of bottom 40.

FIGS. 4 and 5 disclose a modified form of trim correcting device. Itcomprises a rigid mounting bracket 12 of dihedral form, and which ismolded from a sheet of suitable structural thermoplastic into the shapeillustrated. Such mounting bracket 12 includes a first panel partforming an upstanding mounting wall 14, a rearwardly extending,generally horizontal, second panel part forming a shelf 16, and aplurality of triangular gussets 18', of U- shaped cross-section. Thegussets 18 extend between the mounting wall 14 and the shelf 16' andgive rigidity to the mounting bracket 12'. The illustrated embodiment isshown to include a pair of gussets 18 at each side boundary of mountingbracket 12', and a pair of intermediate gussets 18. The panel parts 14',16 are substantially flat between the gussets, with a rounded cornerbeing formed at the apex line where they meet in dihedral fashion.

As in the earlier form, a reactance or lift member 23' is mounted on theboat below bracket 12'. The reactance member 23' may include a generallyupright forward wall 24 which is adapted to be positioned between thetransom T and the upstanding panel part 14 of bracket 12. A plurality offastening bolts, some of which are designated 22', may extend throughwall parts 14', 24' and the transom T, to secure both the mountingbracket 12' and the reactance member 23' on the transom.

In addition to front wall 24, the reactance member 23 comprises a narrowsupport strip 32' forming a near right-angle corner with wall 24, agenerally horizontal (in use) water reaction panel 34', a hinge 36interconnecting the water reaction panel 34 and the support strip 32 anda rear flange 38 upstanding from the rear edge of panel 34, andterminating substantially at level of, or somewhat above, panel part16'. As best shown by FIG. 5, the trim correction device is positionedoutboardly of the boat, on and rearwardly of the transom T, with thewater reaction surface of the lift member substantially at the level ofthe undersurface of the bottom 40.

As in the earlier form, bracket 12 and lift member 23' are preferablyconstructed from a synthetic resin of a type having good strengthcharacteristics. The hinge 36" may be a reduced thickness portion of thematerial used to form lift member 23. Support member 12' and reactancemember 23' may both be molded into the configurations illustrated, inaccordance with conventional sheet plastic thermo molding processes, forexample:

In this form of the invention, the inflatable bladder 42' is preferablyof a relatively narrow (e.g. about 21/2 to 4 inches in diameter wheninflated) section of tubing (about 24-36 inches in length, for example).The inflatable bladder 42 may be fabricated from a section of flexiblehosing, such as used in collapsible fire hoses, for example. Such hosingis generally characterized by an impervious core of rubber or arubber-like material covered by a jacket or covering of astrength-giving fabric such as nylon, for example. A bladder 42 may beconstiucted from such hosing by merely cutting a desired length of suchhosing, then applying a suitable adhesive-sealant material to the insideend portions of such section of hosing, and then flattening out the endportions. The adhesive-sealant is used to hermetically seal the ends ofthe bladder 42. A clamp 43 in the form of a piece of metal bent over onitself, so that it has a generally U-shaped cross-section, may beapplied to the flattened out end portions of the bladder 42. The endportions of bladder 42' may be secured to either the reactance member23, or to panel part 16 of support member 12, such as by a bolt 45, forexample. If end clamps 43 are used, the bolt 45 may be passed throughthe end clamp.

As illustrated a longitudinal recess 49, which in use extendstransversely of the boat, may be molded into the support member 12, toserve as a partial restraining channel for the bladder 4-2, and to alsoserve as a further strengthening means for the support 12'.

In the FIGS. 4 and 5 embodiment, only a single fluid conduit isconnected to the bladder 42. The bladder 42' may be provided with anupstanding stem 44' which is similar to a valve stem for an inner tube,but does not include an internal valving device. An opening 48 isprovided in the central portion of panel part 16', in the area of recess49, and stem 44' extends upwardly through opening 48. As in the earlierform, the stem 44 may be externally threaded so that a retaining nut 47'may be screwed on it from above the panel part 16'. The single stem 44'serves as both an inlet and an outlet for the bladder 42. As in theearlier form a conduit or tube is attached to the portion of stem 44'which extends upwardly above panel part 16'. As will hereinafter bedescribed in greater detail, a source of pressurized fluid is positionedinwardly of the boat, and the tube 52 extends forwardly from the stem44' to and then through an opening in the transom T, and thence to aninboard control valve means.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the source of pressurized fluid may be an aircompressor or pump 66 (such as the model 840 air compressor manufacturedby the Hadley Manufacturing Co., of Toledo, Ohio, for example) and acompressed air storagetank 64 (such as the model 751 air tankmanufactured by the Hadley Manufacturing Co., for example). A checkvalve 70 is located in the inlet to the storage tank 64 leading from thecompressor 66, and is adapted to permit compressed air to .flow into butnot out from the tank 64 through said inlet. The outlet of tank 62includes a pressure regulator 72. An air supply line 74 leads from theregulator 72 and branches off into two branches or parts 76, 78. Branch76 is connected to one port of a first three-way valve V1. The secondport of valve V1, schematically designated 80, is in communication withthe atmosphere, and it constitutes an exhaust passageway. The fluidconduit 52' from the port trim correcting device 10' is connected to thethird port of the valve V1. Branch conduit 78 connects to the first portof a second three-way valve V2. Valve V2 also includes a second port(designated 82) in communication with the atmosphere, and a third portto which the forward end of the conduit 62 leading from the starboardtrim correcting device 10" is connected. As will be evident, thethree-way valves V1, V2 serve as a means for controlling each trimcorrecting device 10 independently of the other. Of course, both valvesV1, V2 can be operated simultaneously so that both lift members 23' arelowered simultaneously when it is desired to raise the stern and lowerthe bow.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative .arrangement, associated with the embodimentof FIGS. l-3, and involving two two-way valves and separate inlet andoutlet conduits for each trim correcting unit 10. Branch 78 of airsupply line 74 is shown connected to inlet conduit 52 for the unit by afirst two-way valve V3. A second two-way valve V4, which discharges tothe atmosphere, is provided in the exhaust conduit 54. As will beevident, when it is desired to inflate bladder 42, valve V4 is closedand valve V3 is opened. When it is desired to deflate bladder 42, valveV3 is closed and valve V4 is opened.

Valves V1, V2, V3, V4 may be manually, electrically, mechanically, orpneumatically controlled. Such valves may also be automaticallycontrolled, such as by the automatic control apparatus forming thesubject matter of our aforementioned US. application, Ser. No. 488,705now US. Patent No. 3,298,344, granted Jan. 17, 1967, for example.

As will readily be apparent, during the exhausting procedure the tubes42, 42' in effect function as dashpots or shock absorbers. Since therelease of compressed air from the tubes 42, 42' is not sudden, butrather occurs relatively slowly over a period of time, the movement ofthe water reaction panels 34, 34 is not sudden and jerky, but rather isslow, resulting in a smooth transition from one attitude of the boat tothe next, by operation of the trim correcting devices 10, 10.

As previously mentioned, bracket 12, 12' and reactance member 23, 23'are both preferably constructed from a synthetic resin, a typicalexample of the resin being polymerizable unsaturated polyester. Theinflatable tubes 42, 42 is basically constructed from rubber or arubberlike resilient material. The stems 44, 44', 46 are constructedfrom or at least covered with rubber or a similar material, or are brassor copper. Tubes 52, 52, 54 are preferably rubber, plastic, nylon orsome other non-mettallic material. The nuts or retaining elements 47, 47if used, may be made from nylon, plastic, or a similar material. All ofthe above-mentioned materials are non-corrosive. They will not corrodethemselves and their use minimizes the corrosion of the metallicfastener elements 22, 22', 30 and the metallic hose clamps 56. Thesecomponents 22, 22', 30, 56 are subject to oxidation because they aremade of metal, but they do not contact and are not situated in closeproximity to another metallic part. Consequently, the conditionsnecessary for the occurrence of galvanic corrosion are not present, andessentially no galvanic corrosion occurs. This is a very importantfeature of the present invention because galvanic corrosion is much moredestructive then simple oxidation.

The valves V1, V2, V3, V4 are located inside of the boat, forwardly ofthe transom T. An opening is provided in the transom T for each of thetube members 52, 52', 54. Each tube member 52, 52', 54 may be continuousand extend through its opening in the transom. Alternatively, a throughhull fitting of nylon, for example, may be provided at each opening, andeach tube 52, 52, 54 may be made into sections, a forward sectioninterconnecting between the related valve and the forward end of thefitting, and a rearward section interconnected between the rearwardportion of the fitting and the portion ofthe related stem that projectsabove the support shelf 16, 16'.

FIG. 8 shows still a further modified form of trim correcting deviceaccording to the present invention. Such form is shown to comprise apair of similar, and perhaps identical, wedge-shaped blocks 90-92 offoam plastic (such as closed cell Styrofoam) covered by a sheath orjacket 94, 96 of a tough and substantially impervious sheet plasticmaterial, and interconnected at their apexes by means of an elongatedbutt hinge similar to a piano hinge, for example, but of a sturdyconstruction and fabricated from brass, stainless steel, or othermaterial. Block 90 is attached to the transom T, such as by a pluralityof bolts, one of which is designated 96 in FIG. 8. The other block 92constitutes the reactance or lift member and comprises a lower waterreaction surface 98 and a relatively upper action surface 100. Aninflatable bladder 42, which may be like bladder 42' of the FIGS. 4 and5 embodiment, is restrained between the blocks -92. A sheathed spring(or springs), or the like, may be interconnected between the rearportion of the blocks 9092, to serve as a means for preventing the lowerblock from gravitating to vertically down position when the boat is atrest in the water. Bladder 42' may be provided with the pressurizedfluid control system of FIG. 6, including a single fluid conduit 52', orin the alternative with supply system shown by FIG. 7, including a pairof conduits 52, 54. The bladder 42 may be arranged to press directlyagainst the rear side of the transom T, in place of block 90, or againstany other member attached to the transom T.

Owing to tis construction, the elongated tubular bladder 42, wheninflated, has an oval cross-sectional shape, tending toward round. Thenatural tendency of bladder 42 is to acquire a round cross-sectionalshape when inflated, but some flattening occurs due to the loading puton bladder 42' by the lift member. The bladder 42 may be restrained atits ends, but it is not restrained against expansion or contractionbetween its ends. It is not cemented or otherwise secured to either theaction surface of the lift member or the adjoining surface of thesupport member (e.g. member 16), so that it may tend to assume a roundor near-round shape. The advantage of this arrangement is that a roundshape gives the maximum amount of lift member displacement (i.e. thediameter of the bladder 42) for the least amount or volume of air.

Having thus described the invention, it is clear that the objects asstated above have been attained in a simple and practical manner. Whileparticular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described,it is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction andarrangement of the various parts without departing from the sphere andscope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. For use on a boat having a transom and a bottom, an outboard trimcorrecting device connectable to said boat generally rearwardly of saidtransom, and including a rigid, rearwardly extending support portion, awater reaction panel positioned below said support portion, andincluding hinge means for connecting a forward portion of said panel tothe boat, substantially at the level of the bottom, and substantiallywhere said bottom joins the boat transom, and an elongated bladder oftubular form extending transversely of the boat and angularly disposedbetween said transom and said water reaction panel, and between saidsupport portion and said water reaction panel, and including meansclosing and hermetically sealing both of its ends, and a stem portionextending upwardly from an intermediate portion thereof, and through anopening in said support portion; a source of pressurized fluidpositionable inboardly of the boat; conduit means for interconnectingbetween the inboard source and the stem of the outboard inflatablebladder; and inboard control valve means in said conduit means, tocontrol the ingress and egress of fluid to and from said inflatablebladder.

2. An outboard trim correcting device according to claim 1, wherein saidsupport portion includes a downwardly opening recess extending parallelto, and rearwardly of said hinge means, and wherein an upper portion ofsaid inflatable bladder is nested in said recess.

3. An outboard trim correcting device according to claim 1, wherein saidsupport portion is of dihedral form is formed from sheet plastic, andcomprises dihedrally related first and second panel parts joinedtogether along an apex line, and a plurality of strengthening gussetsspaced along said member and interconnecting between said panel parts,to provide rigidity to said dihedral member, said gussets beinggenerally U-shaped in cross-section, and wherein one of said panel partsis securable to the transom of a boat and the elongated section offlexible tubing contacts the other panel part, on the side thereofopposite the gnssets.

4. In an outboard trim correcting device connectable to a boat generallyrearwardly of its transom, an elongated dihedral member formed fromsheet plastic and comprising dihedrally related first and second panelparts joined together along an apex line, and a plurality ofstrengthening gussets spaced along said member and interconnectingbetween said panel parts, to provide rigidity to said dihedral member,said gussets being generally U- shaped in cross-section; means forconnecting said dihedral member to a boat, with its apex line positionedadjacent, and generally parallel to, the lower edge of the boatstransom; and an elongated section of flexible tubing extending along andcontacting one panel part of said dihedral member, on the side thereofopposite the gusset, and at a location offset from said apex line, saidsection of tubing including means closing and hermetically sealing sameand at least one conduit connection.

5. The combination of claim 4, further including means for aflixing saidflexible tubing in position comprising a connector for restraining atleast one end of said tubing, with at least the largest part of saidtubing between its ends being unrestrained against expansion andcontraction.

6. For use on a boat having a transom and a bottom, an outboard trimcorrecting device connectable to said boat, and including a lift memberformed from a structural plastic, and having a lower water reactionsurface and a forward portion, transverse hinge means for connecting theforward portion of said member, and hence the member itself, to theboat, substantially at the level of the undersurface of said boat andsubstantially where said undersurface meets said transom, an inflatablebladder of elongated tubular form to be disposed transversely of theboat, and against a surface of said lift member situated above saidwater reaction surface, and including means closing and hermeticallysealing same; a source of pressurized fluid positionable inboardly ofthe boat; conduit means interconnectable between said source and saidinflatable bladder; and control valve means in said conduit means, tocontrol the flow of fluid into or out from said inflatable bladder, withflow of [air] fluid into said bladder serving to inflate it into an ovalcross-sectional shape tending towards round, and with said inflatedbladder pressing against the adjacent surface portion of said liftmember, and swinging said lift member into a position wherein its lowerwater reaction surface slopes downwardly and rearwardly from the bottomof the boat.

7. An outboard trim correcting device according to claim 6, incombination with a boat in which said source of compressed fluid isinboardly located, forwardly of the boats transom, and wherein saidconduit means includes only a single conduit connecting with saidinflatable bladder, and said conduit extends from a connection with saidinflatable bladder forwardly through an opening in the boats transom.

8. An outboard trim correcting device according to claim 6, wherein saidinflatable bladder is a section of flexible hosing, the two ends ofwhich have each been closed by flattening of the end portions of saidhosing, and said inflatable bladder includes means for hermeticallysealing said closed, flattened end portions.

9. In combination, a boat having a bottom and a transom with atransverse lower edge; a pair of outboard lift members, one on each sideof the center line of the boat, rearwardly of said transom, and eachhaving a lower water reaction surface and an action surface thereabove,each lift member being hinged generally along its forward [extend]extent to the boat, substantially at the lower edge of the transom; andan inflatable bladder for each lift member, extending transversely ofthe boat generally parallel to the hinge line and contacting the actionsurface of its lift member, radially outwardly from the hinge line, andoperable to swing the lift member downwardly from an inactive position,wherein its reaction surface is substantially even with or above theundersurface of said boat, into an active position wherein the waterreaction surface thereof slopes downwardly and rearwardly from theundersurface of said bottom, each said bladder being of elongatedtubular form and including means for closing and hermetically sealingeach of its ends; a source of [pressurized] pressure fluid inboardly ofthe boatg'concluit means interconnected between said inboard source andsaid outboard inflatable bladders, and including at least one conduitleading to each inflatable bladder; and inboard control valve means insaid conduit means for independently controlling the flow of fluid intoor out from each of said inflatable bladders.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein said inboard control valve meanscomprises a pair of three-way valves, each having a first portcommunicating with said source; a second port communicating with theatmosphere, and a third port, and wherein said conduit means includes asingle conduit leading from each inflatable bladder forwardly through anopening in the transom to the third port of the related three-way valve.

11. The combination of claim 9, wherein said conduit means includes aseparate supply conduit leading from said source to each inflatablebladder, and a separate exhaust conduit leading from each inflatablebladder to said inboard control valve means, and wherein said controlvalve means includes off-on valve means in each supply conduit andoff-on valve means in each exhaust conduit.

12. In combination, a boat having a transom and a bottom; a trimcorrecting device comprising a bracket connectable to said transom, andincluding a rigid, rearwardly extending support portion; a waterreaction panel positioned below said support portion, and hinged alongits forward edge to the boat substantially at the level of theundersurface of said bottom; an inflatable tube means disposed betweensaid support portion and said water reaction panel, and including aninlet stem portion extending upwardly through a first opening in saidsupport portion, and an outlet stem portion extending upwardly through asecond opening in said support portion; a source of motive fluid; supplyconduit means interconnected between said source and said inlet stem,for supplying rno-' tive fluid from said source into said inflatabletube means; exhaust conduit means leading from each outlet stem; off'onvalve means in said supply conduit means; and off-on valve means in saidexhaust conduit means.

13. The combination of claim 12, wherein a flange extends upwardly fromthe rear edge of the water reaction panel and terminates substantiallyat the level of the support portion of said bracket.

14. The combination of claim 12, wherein a pair of openings is providedin the transom above the trim correcting device, wherein the oflF-onvalve means in the supply conduit means, and the ofl-on-valve means inthe exhaust conduit means, are both located forwardly of the transom,wherein the supply conduit means include tube means extending rearwardlyfrom the off-on valve means in the supply conduit through one of theopenings in the transom and then to a connection with the said inletstem at a location above the support portion of said bracket, andwherein the exhaust conduit means includes tube means extendingrearwardly from the ofl-on valve means in the exhaust conduit meansthrough the second opening in the transom and then to a connection withthe said outlet stem at a location above the support portion of saidbracket.

15. The combination of claim 12, wherein the Water reaction panel is apart of a reactance member that also includes an upstanding front wallby which it is secured to the transom of the boat, narrow support stripextending rearwardly from the lower portion of said front wall, andhinge means interconnecting said support strip with said Water reactionpanel, wherein said reactance member is constructed from a syntheticresin, and wherein the hinge means consists of a reduced thicknessportion of the reactance member which is flexible relative to thethicker support strip forwardly thereof and the thicker water reactionpanel rearwardly thereof.

16. Trim correcting apparatus comprising:

a pair of lift members connectible to a boat in the region of its stern,one on each side of the center line of the boat, each lift member beingelongated transversely of the boat and having a lower water reactionsurface and an action surface thereabove, and each being swingablyconnected to the boat along its forward extent generally at the level ofthe undersurface of the boat, and an elongated, inflatable bladder foreach lift member extending transversely of the boat, and when inflatedbeing operable to swing the lift member downwardly from an inactiveposition wherein its reaction surface is substantially even with theundersurface of said boat into an ac tive position wherein the waterreaction surface thereof slopes downwardly and rearwardly from theundersurface of said bottom, each said inflatable bladder being a lengthof tubing which when inflated assumes an oval cross-sectional shapetending towards round, and which includes strength giving fabriclimiting the tubing to a predetermined inflated diameter;

a source of pressure fluid inboardly of the boat;

conduit means interconnected between said source and each saidinflatable bladder, and including at least one conduit leading to eachinflatable bladder; and

inboard control valve means in sale conduit means for independentlycontrolling the flow of fluid into and out from each of said inflatablebladders.

17. Trim correcting apparatus according to claim 16, wherein each saidlift member is fabricated from a noncorrosive structural plasticmaterial, and each said bladder is fabricated from a noncorrosivematerial.

18. Trim correcting apparatus according to claim 16, wherein each liftmember is a generally rectangular sheet material panel having a forwardportion rigidly connected to the boat, and wherein said panel isdeflected downwara'ly rearwardly of its line of connection when thebladder is inflated.

19. Trim correcting apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a generallyhorizontal support surface is ofiset upwardly from the normal undersurface of the boat at a location rearwardly of where said lift memberis attached to the boat, and said elongated bladder is locatedvertically between said support surface and the lift menther andrearwardly of where said lift member is connected to the boat.

References Cited The following references, cited by the Examiner, are ofrecord in the patented file of this patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,026,839 3/1962 Fridge 11466.5 3,058,442 10/1962Curtis l14-66.5 2,265,206 12/1-941 Starnpfi 11466.5 3,177,837 4/1965Sherrill 114-665 3,298,344 1/1967 Yunker et a1 11466.5

ANDREW H. FARRELL, Primary Examiner

